Chapter 47 - Gaetano
Gaetano
I rest my hands on Nicole’s shoulders. The black magic erodes my thoughts, transforming them into tendrils that crave to suffocate and destroy. But my heart recognizes the woman before me as someone I must protect at all costs. That’s exactly what I will do.
I teleport us to the cave, never letting go of her trembling body as she takes in the textured stone walls. The pain wraps around my bones, crushing out every remaining shred of hope. Not because of what’s to come. Because of what I’m leaving behind.
Nicole’s presence was a beautiful distraction from the inevitability of my fate. For a moment, I believed I could turn my back on the past and move forward.
Her eyes are wild, filled with tears and confusion.
I cradle her face in my hands, holding her gaze.
“Stay here for at least an hour. Then go straight to the exit. You’ll need to find a ride on your own, but I couldn’t think of a safer place.
Madeline doesn’t know about the cave, and she’d be too preoccupied with me to search for you.
And after tonight, she’ll no longer be a threat. ”
Right now, fear paralyzes Nicole, but she’ll wake up soon and understand my words. And she’ll hate me for abandoning her.
My self is being torn in two. One half stays here with Nicole, while the other observes us from the side. It barely recognizes me in the features of the creature I’ve become. It resembles a shadow of myself, hollowed out by black magic. A complete perversion of the man I could have been for Nicole.
I ache to touch her, to wipe away her tears. But I’m too far gone. Too tainted to lay my hands on her.
“I wish I had more time to tell you everything I feel,” I say.
Something clutches at my soul and starts to pull—harder, harder…
Nicole’s face blurs.
“I truly saw a life with you,” I say. My whole being stretches like a million cords, each one a conduit of unbearable pain.
“Don’t do it, whatever it is!” Nicole screams, snapping fully awake.
“I’m going to destroy Madeline so you’ll be safe.”
Every thread of my being tears with a soundless, internal scream. I no longer see her in front of me, but from the outside. My face shrivels, skin turning ashen.
Nicole reaches for me with chaotic, trembling hands, trying to hold my pieces together. I want to tell her it’s okay, to lie and say I’ll be fine, just so she won’t worry. I yearn to erase the pain twisting her expression.
No sound leaves my mouth. My lungs stop expanding. My blood freezes, filling my veins with black tendrils. My body decays.
Harvest 300 is complete.
I’m finally free of the curse, and nothing holds me back from delivering my revenge. Alas, I’m also dying.
The last speck of light inside me quivers, barely holding on before succumbing to the Black Joker’s essence. He’s pure energy, shaped by dark magic. A force capable of striking the kind of deal with the Higher Powers even Gaetano couldn’t have pulled off.
The Black Joker is the only one who can destroy Madeline. And in doing so, he will annihilate himself.
It’s not like I didn’t know that all along, right?